Beginning in Ezekiel 25 the Lord begins to announce judgments upon the nations. These are the nations that stood by and cheered as Jerusalem was destroyed and the Hebrews went into exile. God declares they are coming down.

Is there any application of this to our day? I think there may be a few.

First, those nations that criticize and condemn Israel are standing on shaky ground. The enemies of Israel are the enemies of God, and He will exact judgment.

Second, I believe there is a metaphorical application. God has one church. This church is called by many different names throughout the world. When one group condemns another group, or smiles at their misfortune, God in heaven takes notice. He is paying attention. When one church suffers within a community, and another church seeks to take advantage of the situation God is grieved. We must never smile at or seek to exploit the hardships of another congregation. Those churches are our sisters. There are genuine Christians within that church who are hurting. Our reaction is not to point a finger and say, “They had it coming.” Never! Our reaction is to pray, extend a hand of help, and love them. We may not agree on every point of doctrine—and this side of heaven we never will. But many times it is not a doctrinal point that is at issue, but a methodological one. Let us not become ornery over incidentals. We are a family. The world should see us love and behave like one.